73 comments:

"Dustin Tokarski was phenomenal," Montreal head coach Michel Therrien said. "He's a battler. Most important thing is he's a winner." These were the traits that Charlie Hodge saw in Tokarski. Hodge was the Tampa Bay scout who urged the Lighting to draft Tokarski in the fifth round (122nd overall) in 2008. The kid from Saskatchewan already had won the Canadian national midget championship with the 2005-06 Prince Albert Mintos and the Memorial Cup with the Spokane Chiefs two years later. The next year he helped Canada win gold at the 2009 world junior, and then as a member of the Lightning AHL farm club in Norfolk he was spectacular in its march to the 2011-12 Calder Cup crown. Now, he hopes to add his name to the long list of young goalies who have helped the famed Canadiens organization to playoff success. It's funny how things work out, that Tokarski plays for Montreal now. The Canadiens were the team Hodge, now 80, won six Stanley Cups in the 1950s and 1960s with Montreal. He won two more as a scout with the Pittsburgh Penguins in the early 1990s. He shared Vezina Trophies in 1963-64 and 1965-66 with his Canadiens teammate Gump Worsley."

Just watched that Prust hit in real time (thanks NHL package!). It was late, ok. Should have been 2 minutes of interference. But it wasn't even close to a head shot, despite CBC's jerking off to the idea of him being suspended. I saw way worse than that in the broon series that wasn't even mentioned. Funny how Stefan was out cold until he realized there was no penalty and then he was up and screaming. Same with that flopping on PK's "Slew foot" that even CBC laughed at (TSN will be having 17 hours of coverage of it, on the other hand). It's clear the Rags were diving all over the place trying to draw calls.

Do great men make history or does history make great men? This is the question you must answer if you want to be a history major. It was delightful to see this dichotomy play out on the ice. Toker VS gCHuck. What a ride.

the corporate overloads are sure to ban Fridays in the future. Just like Constantine made Sunday a Holy day to appease the Druids, corporatist will eliminate the concept to feed the machine. I see not stop in the drain of liberty and just being human. We will live in Buttmans world, enjoy eating shit, because the cows live in orbit on grass pastures.

I am happy like a wounded Sandinista dying of septic realizing Daniel Ortega will be my next president. What a prince he turned out to be. Can no one do this revolutionary thing without becoming a douchbag. Well history records there was one such man, and his name was Pierre Elliot Trudeau. This was a dude that actually believed in humans and their potential. We have not seen his ilk until now. I hope and believe that his son Justin can carry this mantle. Its not like the earth is heating up and exploding with tornadoes and death and we need a leader who can work through thus.

http://thinkingaboot.blogspot.ca/2014/05/malthusian-justifications.htmlthat is what I am talking about, when they select the people for Noah's ark they will all be Christian and hate the Habs, I expect given the budget they will come from Colorado.

So what has this to do with winning the cup. While the same forces are exacting a toll on the broadband and satellite networks there remains hope. Broadcast deals are not yet in effect, and Montreal is not a name in the library of what goes down. So we might slip through, but this is really our last chance. No Canadian team will ever raise the cup in the future of the NHL.

I think this is the deepest he's ever gotten. As much as us fans decry his effort now, we have to remember the Habs were fighting for a playoff spot when the got him, and they got him for pretty much nothing. He certainly didn't do it alone, but after the trade deadline the Habs went on a great run and got 100 pts and home ice in the 3rd round.

He was always a favourite of mine and I honestly was shell shocked when the Habs stole him. He never really lived up to the hype. Maybe in some late season games, but I had seen a lot of him (he's always in my pool) and never lived up to his previous numbers. But that was it the whole season, so who knows. Maybe it's age, maybe it's the grind of the playoffs, maybe he just doesn't care, maybe it's a nagging injury. Ask me in April if MB should do what he could to keep him I would have been choking on my screams of YES, but now, meh. Lock down PK, get Vodkov for a few more years and see what's out there with size. Let Minny deal with this mess (I doubt they'll pay what he's looking for. They're serious about making a Cup run, and they already have a solid team. They don't need this either).

FHFers may notice I barely ever talk about Vanek, I don't even think I said much when the Habs got him and I don't really talk about him much during games. I was that shocked when MB got him for some decorative beads. I just wanted to see how it all panned out. I'm disappointed as a fan of his more than as a Habs fan. They're a better team with him, but I really wanted to see him shine in the CH.

Lovely SF, by the way, moe. I've celebrated the Habs victory/pre-birthday by having a couple of beers and watching Velvet Goldmine again. I love that movie. Perfect fluff after a tough week. I've requested all 70s Glam Rock at my BBQ. The Darkness can come, too. I just hope my full body leotard still fits. Otherwise the blue hair and eye make up will look down right silly.

Great SF Moeman. Nice ones all round! The Charger hit on Stepan was a bit late but not suspend able, especially as he came back and played afterwards. Great game by Toker but the Habs are going to have to play better in their own end if they want more out of this series. I mean - wtf , 4 SOG in the 1st period won't win you many Stanley Cups!...one thing is for sure - this series just got mutherfucking interesting!. go Habs Go!

Sergakis is up in arms again because the Bell Center will be open for Sunday's game. This time he says they turn into a giant bar for 21K with minors present. ? What does he think goes on during a live hockey game? Though he did manage to get a hearing with the Quebec liquor board which will be held within 21 days.

TORONTO -- New York Rangers forward Daniel Carcillo has been automatically suspended for 10 games as a result of being assessed a Game Misconduct penalty under Rule 40.3 Physical Abuse of Officials -- Category II during Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Final in New York on Thursday, May 22, the National Hockey League announced today.

At 14:09 of the first period, Carcillo physically applied force to Linesman Scott Driscoll while being escorted to the penalty box. Rule 40.3 Physical Abuse of Officials -- Category II states: "Any player who deliberately applies physical force to an official in any manner (excluding actions as set out in Category I), which physical force is applied without intent to injure, or who spits on an official, shall be automatically suspended for not less than ten (10) games."

Congrats to DGMB: "The Montreal Canadiens' Marc Bergevin, Los Angeles Kings' Dean Lombardi and Anaheim Ducks' Bob Murray are the finalists for the 2013-14 NHL General Manager of the Year Award, the NHL announced Friday. Bergevin and Murray are finalists for the second straight season, while Lombardi is a first-time finalist."

I listened to the nhl assessment of the charger hit on Stepan and I don't agree completely. When you slow the play down it look a lot worse...speed it up to normal time and it is a slightly late hit - that is all! He doesn't leave his feet and he doesn't hit his head. Stephan play over 17 minutes in the game last night and.didnt stop yapping all game - he could have broken his naw in another play or it could have been when he hit the ice after charger hit him. Every way you slice it is is a bullshit reaction call.

So now it's CHarger's fault that Carcillo abused the ref and got 10 games? Who even know if Stepan broke his jaw when CHarger hit him? Maybe it happened when he went after (Y), missed and went into the boards.

I've just been suspended for two games by my girlfriend for extreme lateness

So I'm watching the NHL video. The have a nice bullet point summar at the end:

-interference-injury-history

- sure, it was interference. that was not called during the game- sure, there was an injury. that apparently was completely missed by the doctors when it happened, and he played the rest of the game- sure, for one fucking game 2 years ago, in a 7 year NHL career

Don't feed me your BS bullet points. I barely even have a problem with 2 games. but your explanation is crap

Hey remember when Chara tried to murder Patches and got exactly zero games because it was a 'hockey play'? Yeah...

The broken jaw doesn't make sense in the least. He was yappin, and able to play hard afterwards with no ill effects. When he was sent to the quiet room the doctor would have checked for such things. I'm not going to pull a Dr. Recchi here, and I don't like being a homer fan, but in this case it all doesn't add up.

I do enjoy listening to Rag fans now complaining that if they lose the next one without Stepan (who?) it's unfair, when just two days ago they were telling Hab fans to shut up about Price because injuries are part of the game. Stepan will be back next game anyway, a miracle recovery.

In any case, I would actually rather have Bournival in rather than Prust. The actual suspension doesn't bother me, it's the hoops the NHL went through to justify it. Add that to AV crying that Carcillo, who I've read starts fights at charity games, shouldn't get suspended because it's all Prust's fault and the medical mysteries around Stepan's sudden recovery and then equally as sudden serious injury, I just can't. Fuck the Rags. THE HATE IS ON!

If you want more hate, go watch the video of PK's "slew foot". Word is the Academy is favouriting that performance.

That is exactly what I was thinking the moment it was announced he got 2 games. AV is turning into Julien, using the media to pass a message to the NHL that the officials missed a call, how could 4 refs not see it? He just does it with a tad more finesse than Clod. Sunday, the refs will be calling a Hab if they even sneeze. GYMFHG!

LOLZ. Rag fans are all over the internet calling it the dirtiest hit ever in hockey and Prust should have gotten 20 games. Proves their 'fans' are bangwagoners who only watch when the team goes deep. It's not even the dirtiest hit of the series. Say what we will about Boston and their fans, at least they kind of know hockey.

Quebecers must be feeling pretty good lately. Lots of your brethren won Olympic gold medals, the Habs are deep into the playoffs and a young tennis phenom wins a WTA event. You even managed to ditch Marois and the PQ. Great job!

Rags are trying to cheat:Therrien - "a gentleman's agreement that opponents coaching staff don't watch practices between game days" -asked Ulf Samuelsson to leaveTherrien on coaches' agreement to not watch others' practices: "It's respect for coaches who want to make adjustments between games."Therrien on asking #NYR coaches to leave: "There's a gentlemen's agreement between coaches & GMs to not watch each other's practices."

@JohnLuTSNMtl: #Habs Brière on #NYR McDonagh: "He's a great defenceman but I haven't seen anyone slash as much as he does since Chris Pronger played."

Congrats to Genie Bouchard on her big win just before the French Open! Caught the last few games. She looks good.

I don't think I've commented since before game 3. Decided to stay away - it worked in the broon series. Plus I wore my Habs shirt inside out to change up the luck. Seemed to work. However since I can't stand listening to tho ol' crotch, I tuned into John Stewart during the third intermission and only turned back in time to see the replay. At first I couldn't tell if it was a goal, but then I noted the sadness and dismay in Simpleton's voice and I KNEW!

BS suspension of Prust. First time I've ever seen a suspension for interference. Whatever, we'll stick Bournival in his spot. Or, it's gonna get nasty - do you stick Moen or White in? Whatever. We got this. OGAAT!

I loved Beer's presser, he said AV is crying in the media trying about no call on Prust to get the officials on his side, but he doesn't look at his own team. McD slashes like he's a lumberjack and he must of slashed kidG 4 or 5 times last game .

As the players stretched, Therrien moved down the rink and had words with Rangers assistant Ulf Samuelsson. He and fellow assistant Dan Lacroix left soon after.

New York president and GM Glen Sather watched the practice from one of the top rows of the lower bowl at Madison Square Garden, seemingly more interested in his phone than what was happening on the ice.

Therrien told reporters later there was a "gentleman's agreement" that rival coaches don't attend practices on non-game days.

The NHLPA announced on Saturday that Carcillo has asked NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman to review the ban handed down after Carcillo applied force to linesman Scott Driscoll in Thursday night's 3-2 overtime loss to the Montreal Canadiens in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

Carcillo had 72 hours to appeal the decision.

In 8 games this post-season, Carcillo has two goals and 22 minutes in penalties.

If the suspension stands, this will be the King City, Ontario native's sixth suspension.

looks like Lego, RBQ and VonT are a line. RBQ and VonT are going to try and outdo each other at doing nothing. "Yeah well I am only going to push with one leg, Oh Yeah well I am not even going to skate, I am just going to hold on to Lego's sweater"Actually I think its a smart move. Lego is good at going around the net and throwing the puck in front.

“At the end of the day if the right call is made on the ice, that whole situation doesn’t happen,” he said. “I still don’t understand why Scott grabbed him in that fashion. All Scott had to do was tell him he had a penalty; Dan didn’t know he had a penalty. (He could have said) ‘Can you come to the box with me?”‘

Are you fucking kidding me?

Every 'news' source is saying Carcillo 'jostled' with the ref. He didn't 'jostle'. He shoved several times and elbowed him in the face. The Rags and their bangwagon fans are acting like this was the first missed call in the history of pro sports, so this thug was right to abuse the official. Guess what, this wasn't the only missed call ON THE PLAY, never mind game, never mind series, never mind playoffs, never mind sport. What entitled little uneducated babies this whole organization is. They're really giving the broons a run for the classless money.

AV whined to the media yesterday that basically it's all Prust's fault, if he didn't do what he did, if they called him during the game, the Carcillo crap with the ref never would have happened. Carcillo's brain isn't wired properly and it's all the Canadien's fault that he assaulted a ref.Hey, AV and mediots, I say it's all Kreider's fault for charging feet first into Price. If THAT didn't happen then none of following would either. Why was there no call - how could '4 refs' looking right at it not see it?

Another hit piece against the Habs. Apparently the Habs love drama because NY sent Ulf fucking Samuelsson to their practice, ran Price and abused an official. Right, it's all Montreal's fault. If only they would be quiet and let NY do their cheating in peace. Poor Rags.

The NHL, which came up small in its response to Brandon Prust’s jaw-breaking late hit on Derek Stepan in Game 3 with a sentence that would allow No. 8 to return to this series if the Canadiens can win one of the next two games, now must investigate Montreal again, and specifically coach Michel Therrien.It is up to the league — and this would fall under the province of the commissioner — to determine whether Therrien essentially placed a bounty on Derick Brassard, the Rangers’ center who will return for Sunday’s Game 4 after missing all but the first 3:05 of the series, sidelined thereafter with an upper-body injury he sustained on a blind-side hit from defenseman Mike Weaver.What exactly did Therrien mean, and what message was the coach attempting to send to his players, or anyone else, by stating: “We expect Derick Brassard to play and we know exactly where he’s injured. Hockey is a small world…”?

It was an outrageously irresponsible statement from an adult in a position of responsibility — at worst a threat, a threat to re-injure. If anything happens to Brassard now, what else would anyone think?Gary Bettman must conduct a review of the Montreal coach’s conduct.Similarly, Daniel Carcillo and the NHLPA are absolutely correct in challenging and appealing the automatic 10-game sentence he received for allegedly violating Rule 40.3 Section II, Physical Abuse of Officials.There is no disputing that Carcillo got physical with linesman Scott Driscoll. But the incident was provoked by Driscoll, who immediately became physically aggressive with Carcillo when the Rangers’ forward hovered near the scene of a fight between Derek Dorsett and Prust.Carcillo may or may not have been aware that he had been penalized for a charge on Prust that immediately preceded the fight. If he knew, he should have gone straight to the box. If he didn’t know, he had no business moving so close to the action, where he loomed as a potential third-man-in.Driscoll didn’t appear to instruct Carcillo to move or go to the box before he grabbed the player and began to shove him away from the scene toward the penalty box. Carcillo then chopped the linesman with his stick.Carcillo did nothing to be proud of and the act is indefensible, but perhaps mitigated by physical provocation. Certainly, it is worth an appeal and an audience with the commissioner.